Care for Patients During Their Final Journey

As a hospice nurse, you can help patients and families find peace at the end of life

Helping Patients Find Peace

Hospice colleagues Debbie Pietruszka, occupational therapist (left), and Yvonne Stauffer, R.N., cared for Greg Salem (pictured in frame) after he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Stauffer's care at LVH-17th and Chew streets, coupled with Pietruszka's use of complementary therapies in Salem's home, helped him find peace.

Every passage on life’s journey is rich, meaningful and filled with love and companionship. No phase of this journey is more intense than the last. As a hospice nurse, you’ll help patients live their final days and weeks to the fullest by providing physical, social, spiritual and emotional support. Your care will call upon nursing clinical expertise as well as the special presence you bring to the patient's side whether it is in the home, a nursing facility, or our newly renovated inpatient hospice unit at LVH-17^th and Chew streets in Allentown.

You’ll work with an interdisciplinary team of health-care professionals to decide the best way to care for each patient during his or her final days. You’ll also help educate and support the patient’s family as you discuss end-of-life issues and how to care for their loved one.

Caring for patients at home

If you are a hospice nurse in patients’ homes, you’ll have our telemonitoring system available to keep a watchful eye on your patient when you can’t be there. This technology provides you and the family reassurance by knowing that any changes in the patient’s condition will be reported to you. By monitoring your patient’s vitals, you can take measures to ensure that he or she remains comfortable.

Caring for patients in our hospice unit

When a patient isn’t able to relax at home, we provide specialized care in our inpatient hospice unit. Newly renovated, it provides areas for quiet conversation, privacy and serenity.

Part of the hospice experience is the palliative care we provide to our patients. Whether it’s making sure the patient has his or her favorite blanket from home or providing a family member with a chaplain for spiritual guidance, our care treats not only the pain but also physical, emotional and spiritual issues.

You’ll have the autonomy to ensure your patient is comfortable and encourage you to explore complementary therapies. We call this “healing touch.” Perhaps you notice your patient is anxious or restless and would benefit from Reiki therapy or aromatherapy. You can talk with the patient’s doctor to find ways to bring peace to your patient.

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